We've been here a couple times now and it's never disappoints. We made a reservation, but got there early and sat at the bar. I ordered what may have been the best martini I've ever had and the blue cheese olives were amazing. The place is small and tables are fairly close together, but we were able to get a high top table in the corner which was cozy and romantic because we didn't feel crammed like you might in the dining room. They offer some great menu items on but I opted for the sand dabs for the second timeand he got the filet. We ordered the creamed corn and mashed potatoes as sides to share. Generous portions and the sand dabs were cooked perfectly, practically melts in your mouth. On some nights, they have live music. read more

Service and food was good, not great. Recommend parking on street to save $12. And probably would skip this place unless you're into old school Hollywood or over the age of 60. read more

Had a very mixed experience at Dear John's... The great: The building, staff, and ambiance/vibe were excellent. They did a really great job restoring the location and keeping true to the origin without it being kitschy. The good: cocktails were excellent as were most of starters, particularly the wedge salad and beef tartare. The bad: The pigs in a blanket, not sure what they're going for here but what we got were underwhelming overcooked/shriveled sausages in pre-fab puff pastry. Most disappointing was the steak: the ribeye came to the table looking great, a perfect medium-rare cook and beautiful sear, unfortunately the meat had zero aging on it. It was extremely tough and flavorless. I'm not sure how that's even possible at a restaurant like this considering the names attached. Wet aging and forecasting meat inventory is step 1 for a steakhouse and the reason we're willing to pay $68 for a steak that should be tender and full of flavor/umami. I can't imagine Josiah Citrin tasting my steak and thinking it's anywhere near remotely acceptable for service. read more

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I never write bad reviews but this one takes the cake. I get that there are new owners who saved an old gem, but major posers. My mother who is now dead, got a card from the old owners for two free cocktails because they screwed up her order. I brought the card and they did not honor it. They even laughed. Really over priced and snooty wait staff. If you want to eat here and you are not rich, take out a loan because you will need it. read more

Went to Dear John's for DineLA. Just the best. Steak Diane was superb. Our server, Eric, let us have some extra time with our cocktails before ordering. It was quite busy for a Tuesday night. Always love the chill vibe at Dear John's. read more

Went to see how they transform the old classic place into an upscale steakhouse I Culver City. The waiter had no patience and was bad talking food. The steaks were very over cooked. As a steak house server I know my stuff. We hoped it would be a go to spot. The manager apologized and asked for us to come back. We did. We gave it a second shot. We sat at the bar. I even knew the bartender from patronizing my restaurant. We got raw meat. I apologized and sent it back. We said med rare. It came out medium for my wife and well done again for me 15 mins later. Wow! Fool me once. But the second time I know not to got back. I'd rather the old place with the cheap prime rib dinner at $28 a the bad lounge singer. read more

Delicious food, exquisite taste, and amazing quality. Our waitress was super nice, and she was very sweet and accommodating. While the food was absolutely stellar and the service of the utmost quality, it was, however, extremely crammed in and tight. There was no wiggle room and I was having a hard time hearing my own conversation over the one next to us-at times I felt more involved in theirs! Additionally, the restroom was smaller than an airplane bathroom, and it was less than desirable. Overall, enjoyed the experience. read more

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Came here to celebrate a birthday. Was so dark inside it was hard to see the person across the table .The restaurant is really small and it feels very cramped as the tables are so close together. The steak tasted good but it was heavily seasoned and I felt sick later that night. The service was ok nothing special. Wont be going back read more

Had a great time with my friend for dinner! We sat outside in the patio area but then came in for a drink after. Our waiter was very kind & the food was delicious! I will def be back to sit inside. The cheesecake is a must item btw!! read more

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Food was delicious! We started with the Caesar salad which was fun... the waiter, Ben brought over a large wooden bowl... then added the ingredients one by one, previously chopped romaine wrapped and stored in cheese cloth, croutons, a healthy amount of cheese, dressing, pepper... then he put tossed salad onto plates and extra salad in another smaller bowl. The pigs in a blanket were really tasty... nice pastry and ample wagyu sausage with a really tangy Dijon. Ben set the Dijon on the side and said to try it with the broccolini... that mustard was excellent with the pork too! Haha The ribeye was crusty and perfectly cooked, broccolini was great with the toppings, mashed potatoes too.... Asked for all leftovers to be wrapped and Ben took the time to wrap up a tablespoon of potatoes... which I just ate... just a good haha read more

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Food was Delicious. Their service was great. And the ambiance, is cozy and romantic. I recommend this restaurant and I'm definitely coming back. read more

Dined in patio w friends since indoors is brutally noisy and we wanted to be able to talk w them. Ambiance is thé worst: torn umbrella, old heaters, uncomfortable chairs UGLY! Server was competent enough but bit too talkative. Steaks not great, stingy size, $5 for sauce. Ceasar salad strange as several ingredients premixed tho it's assembled table side albeit too drenched w dressing. Kicker was bar service: ordered 2 martinis and we were charged extra $6.00 for another onion and olive. Have never experienced this anywhere. Mgmt ungracious when we asked about this. We also ordered 6 glasses of wine so surely gave them bar business. Cannot understand the hype about this place as there are many steakhouse choices so much better-be sure to choose one of them! read more

Dear John's re-opened recently, but this old skool steakhouse used to be frequented by Old Blue Eyes back in the day. We started off w/ an old skool app, oysters rockerfeller. DJ's version is very good w/ lots of parmesan. The caesar salad was spun tableside, and they have anchovies if you like. The lettuce was crunchy, and the dressing was tangy as it should be. I've been eating more NY steak lately, bc ribeye is too fatty, and filet mignon doesn't have enuf flavor. DJ's steaks are seasoned well, and are charred on the outside & pink on the inside. The quality of the meat was top notch. Regarding the ambiance, its old skool dark in here. There is a cool bar to have a drink. Frank Sinatra music is piping in the background. The tables are close together, but its not overly loud. Likewise, our waitress Kris was fantastic. She was on point, super attentive and nice. So why 4 Stars vs 5 Stars? We had a res, and they sat three of us in this space that is meant for two. However, bc it was in a corner booth area, they tried to justify it was for three. I asked for a table, and the hostess said the tables were for 4. That was total bullshit, bc both tables only had 3 people sitting in them later. I absolutely fukn hate when restaurants seat above avg size people like me and my biz associates, who have a res in tight spaces. If the food had been avg, this review would have been a Two Star 2uesday. read more

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This is a DineLA review. Debated back n forth about trying DJs, with other great deals out there but Ive heard great things about the steaks. Including an Eater mention in an LAs best list. Im going to focus on the food first which was superb, oustanding, def delicious. Then Im going to harp on all the things that were less than My wife ordered a magnificent shrimp cocktail. Three gigantic prawns in a yummy sauce. I would call it a signature appetizer. One of the reasons I made this reservation was the oysters Rockefeller app choice. It was delicious but the two oyster portion seemed stingy. The presentation in a bowl full of flat shells was flawed. Taste 5, portion 3, presentation 2. We ordered the prime sirloin and upgraded ($20) mine to a Ribeye. Asked our server if the kitchen could cut them in half and plate them with both choices. The steaks were delectable. The sirloin was amazing and the Ribeye equally outstanding. The sides broccolini and au gratin potatoes were delicious especially the well spiced and garlicky broc. OMG the desserts. The flavor train just wont stop. A chocolate torte that tasted like a candy bar. great texture and deep chocolate flavor served with a yummy scoop of ice cream. The mascarpone cheesecake was a dreamy texture with a nice thick buttery crust. Our server was adequate. He told us he might get some "pushback" on the plating request. Then said it was a go. Then the steaks were dropped without being cut and split. No biggie, but not a big request either. Plus they said they would then they didn't. When you walk in, behind a velvet curtain there is a tiny space for the hostess station. A sign saying "please wait to be seated it will be worth it". So we waited and waited, meanwhile another couple came in, now there are 4 people cramped in the closet waiting for the hostess. Another guy came in and squeezed through to the bar and then the hostess came in. Our table was fine, well it was wobbling so my wife had that addressed. The dining room is dark, almost a full house tonight. But it is cramped. Hard to maneuver especially getting to the restrooms thru another velvet curtain and people coming in and out blindly. The back of the house shows a little too much behind the scenes disarray. The food is Five Stars Undoubtedly The atmosphere and service Three Stars The average equals Four. Im grateful for Dear Johns offering a DineLA special to get us in the door, it was just a tight squeeze, haha. read more

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The food was delicious! Cheese bread, steaks, oysters, potatoes and cream spinach! But the peanut butter dessert was really heaven! The service was outstanding! Will definitely be back! read more

Four and 1/2 really! Food was amazing and the vibe----wow! Like stepping back in time. Just didn't get 5 for me because we got a reminder phone call that we were late for dinner but we had already checked in and were at the bar waiting ----front of the house needs to step up a bit . Valet was super efficient and accommodating for my friend who needs a little extra help. Friend and I shared a NY steak and then had several sides ----the steak melted in your mouth and the Bernaise was amazing . The crab on toast appetizer was a little salt forward ----but everything else was on pointe . Creamed corn was delish and the German Potatoes were to die for . Loved the artwork and everything about this iconic restaurant ---expensive? Yes ....but so is Disneyland ---it's all about the experience and this place is worth the visit! read more

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Dear John's is an above average steakhouse with a standard limited menu. The martinis are strong and cold and the steaks are seasoned and charred as they should be. Highlights included the decadent lobster thermidor as well as the cup of bearnaise, which is also perfect for dipping fries. Lowlights included the French onion soup, ladled with cheese but not enough onion, as well as the service, we were waited on by the maitre d and not a dedicated server. read more

Protip: call the number listed to listen to Jaime Lee Curtis tell you about the restaurant. It's cute. We were trying to figure out where we wanted to eat on a Saturday night and my date Decided to come here on a Saturday night after finding out about Bougie Tots. I love tots and if there are any sort of loaded potatoes. When we first walked in we were a little taken aback by how crowded and loud it was. The tables are pretty close together so it's not the most intimate of settings. We decided to let our waiter pick our meal for us and he did a fantastic job. Bougie tots- This is what I came for! They are fun from a novelty perspective. These were topped with caviar, creme fraiche, and salmon roe. Delicious and so fitting of the environment. Pork Chop- this was the standout of the night. I believe this was a special. It was paired with some peppers and we really enjoyed the splash of acid it brought to the dish. Ribeye- Perfectly cooked with flaky salt Mashed potatoes- solid side Mushrooms with herb butter- love mushrooms and thought this was a great sideto pair with the ribeye Our waiter was great and we had a wonderful night. read more

Dear John’s - Pork chop, New York Steak, mashed potatoes, and mushrooms - American Near Me - Culver City, California

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Nice romantic ambiance. Steak was executed well and the potato gratin was delicious. Only not super great part was the waiter was kinda cold and unfriendly. Could have just been an off night for him but was a bit of a damper on the evening read more

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Wow! What a random and wonderful find!!!! We had no idea this place, and what an incredible experience. It's dark and moody in all the best ways!! Everyone was wonderful and the food was absolutely impeccable! The sandabs, holy moly! So good! I cannot wait to come back here! read more

Dear John’s - Sand dabs, wow! - American Near Me - Culver City, California

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Delightful. Sirloin was perfect, as was the martini. Good wine list too. Our server, Ben, was wonderful.

Dear John's is one of those places that just gets it right--from the mood lighting and Sinatra-era vibes to the perfectly executed steaks and classic cocktails. It's got this vintage Hollywood feel without trying too hard, and every detail feels intentional. The filet mignon was buttery and cooked exactly medium rare, with that perfect char on the outside. The creamed spinach and au gratin potatoes? Comfort food goals. And the wedge salad? Crisp, cold, and loaded. Nothing fancy--just done right. Cocktails are strong and well-balanced. The martini is a must, and the bartenders here clearly know what they're doing. Service is sharp--attentive without hovering, friendly without being casual. Great for a date night, special occasion, or even just when you're craving a throwback vibe with genuinely excellent food. It's rare to find a spot that feels this nostalgic and still completely delivers on quality. If you haven't been yet, Dear John's is the kind of place you remember--and want to come back to. read more

Love it and probably one of my top 5 favorite steakhouses in LA. Best tots in the city with some good caviar. Great steak. Sexy steak house vibe. read more

Went here for girls night out during Dine LA. The service was amazing from valet to our waiter Angel. Angel was very knowledgeable about the menu and made great recommendations. Our tequila lemon drops were on point! The food was DELICIOUS from the Rockefeller oysters and Cesar salad to the rib eye and chicken Parmesan. And the dessert was the icing on top! We will definitely be going back. Grateful to have found this gem! read more

This place is a 1.5 rating. Definitely not the $305 we spent. (That includes the valet parking.) We had the Caesar salad made at table side, I ordered the Lobster Thermidor (which had waaay too much creamed spinach) & unsalted German potatoes. My husband enjoyed his chicken Parmesan, and truffle Mac& cheese (not worth the calories). Our daughter had the unseasoned broccolini and Sand Dabs, which she did enjoy. We shared our sides. The waiter was nice. We sat outside, that was okay. They ask you what type of water you want, we chose still water and was charged for the bottle of water. A "glass" of not very good Pinot Grigio was $20. We went there because I really wanted the Lobster Thermidor. It was so disappointing. I probably should have gotten the chicken parm because my husband really enjoyed it. Guess it was seasoned well. Another reason this experience was not worth the $305 was the outside preparation of food before you go into the building looked unsanitary. And I almost tripped on the horrible fake grass green rug going into the building to use the ONE bathroom they had. The building for sure needs a remodel and food preparation outside with no sink handling food from an over crowded kitchen surely should not get an A rating. It was at best a B rating. The Mexican music coming from the kitchen (which was across from the one bathroom) was so loud I couldn't use the bathroom in peace. Dear John's is definitely not worth the money we spent. My advice: if you don't mind spending this kind of money on a meal... go to a fine restaurant that deserves it.... because we were paying for food and the experience....go somewhere else. read more

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I was so lucky to be able to try the special wagyu tasting menu at @dearjohnsbar , a classic LA steakhouse that has been featured with glowing reviews on @latimes , @infatuation_la , and @eater_la . I loved how the chef carefully curated each dish featured on the menu to emphasize the natural buttery, grassy, and subtly sweet nature of the Kobe, with beautiful features of both traditional American and Japanese flavors. While I LOVED this special menu and hope that they'll keep at least some of these dishes on their regular menu, I definitely have to be back to check out their normal offerings, as well as their indoor seating options! Featured here: Caesar salad with garlic bread Beef Bearnaise Steak tartare J-1 marinated rump with confit cipollini onions and mushrooms Surf and turf Knuckle with ragout, cavatelli, pistachio, pecorino Slow braised knuckle with potato purée Peppercorn steak with French fries read more

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Just.. wow. Our bartender Erick couldn't have been more hospitable, even while he was training another excellent bartender. The chicken parm & peanut butter dessert were some of the best I've had. Will definitely be back. read more

Dear John’s - American Near Me - Culver City, California

I love the west side's Hollywood- esque Italian steak joints-there's Vito's in Ocean Park, there's Capo in Santa Monica, and there's Dear John's in Culver City. Dear John's is a unique and phenomenal experience as long as you get good service, which seens to be a big if. I've been twice. For purposes of a fair review, let's start with everything that is great. Let's start with the sign-the white font with the red backdrop is exemplary. Like the Chateau, like Dan Tana's, it just screams, " let's have a boozy red wine hazy steak garlicky spaghetti and clams night of debauchery." There's a Sinatra connection, you walk in and it's dark and sexy. I forgot the appetizers (you'll hear about that later) ~The tableside caesar for 2 is a great gimmick ~The spaghetti and clams ~The ribeye is quality ~ the chicken parm is fun. See pic it's like a chicken kiev with the sauce on the side. ~ The Garlic Bread is fun. The first time we went our service was exemplary, no notes. This past Tuesday I was fresh off of a flight, arrived at 8:15 and 3 of us dined outside in their covid patio. Was quite nice, but the service was unacceptably bad. They forgot our appetizers completely, the server made the Caesar and served it before getting our drinks, and they seemed to be untrained and were rushing us. Sucked. Wrecked my dinner and my friends were pissed. Don't rush me. And don't ever think you can buy my forgiveness with comped desert. ~ read more

Dear John’s - Sinatra in the bathroom - American Near Me - Culver City, California

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I should have read the fine print. Called more than 24 hours in advance to cancel a reservation and lost the deposit. They said they require 48 hours. My fault for not reading, but that's a ridiculously non-consumer focused policy I haven't seen elsewhere in town. It'd be different if they were some tiny prix fixe spot w super limited table turns. Seems like a cash grab. read more

I took a friend to Dear John's tonight for a birthday dinner. I specified this on the website when I made the reservation and it was never addressed. We arrived to find that the restaurant was incredibly dark - to the point where it felt dangerous walking to the table. We were told that there was patio seating with heaters so we opted for that. While the food was very good, the service felt typical for 2 women having dinner. We watched other tables getting the service that I assumed we would get at this price point. No one ever asked if I wanted a refill of my drink, we had to ask for pretty much anything. At the end of the meal the male waiter took time to chat with us, but at that point the love was gone. Dark restaurants just don't work for me, and for an expensive dinner I expect better service. There are a few really lovely restaurants that serve a good steak. I will be returning to those in the future. read more

Classy, steakhouse offering a menu of delicious items from top to bottom. Hidden gem and a great place to go with your date or group of guys for the evening. They were kind about opening our bottles of wine. Highest recommendation for a cozy spot. read more

Been to Dear John's twice now to celebrate my father whose name was John and who loved steakhouses. I absolutely adore this restaurant. My mom and I are appetizer people so we love ordering the assorted delicious dishes and skip the large entrees. The steak tartare is my favorite followed very closely by the bougie tots! Not something to miss! I also have to say that the service here is additionally spectacular. All the servers have been wonderful. We will be going back every year for my dads birthday. Such a wonderful treat! read more

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After turning 66 and living most of My life in Los Angeles and diving past Dear John's, I'm sorry it took me so long to dine there. A friend in passing said he had a great meal there. It was my wife's 64th birthday on 11/1. I called and made a reservation with a delightful young lady named Jasmine. I told her there was a plant/vine called night a night Blooming Jasmine and she had no idea there was one. We have them surrounding our whole home because they smell so good. After all the places we have eaten in Los Angeles and the world, I would have to Say I've never had a better meal in my life. I was so satisfied that we went again last night. Got to meet Jasmine and her manager named, Angel, but he's more of a prince or equal to an Angel. Food--Everything thing we order was the best I've ever had. The french onion soup, outstanding. The wedge and table side Ceasar, incredible. The truffle Mac, insanely delicious as were the scalloped Potatoes. The creamed spinach, OMG. The sand dabs my daughter had were the best I've ever had. The rib eyes were amazing not to mention the sauces you can get with them. The Filet, unbelievable. I myself had to make sure since we went back that the nightly special Was a veal chop with a thick Marsala wine sauce with mushrooms. The Salmon was wonderful. They have a garlic cheese Bread to die for, but I lived thank goodness so I can go back again. Angel, the manager, not only an angel is one Classy guy who Checked in on us every five minutes to see if everything was good, and acceptable And as expected. I Love Dear John's. It's my new, or at least New to me, is now my hands down best restaurant I've ever been to. I could go every night. It was the food the best I've ever eaten, but Angel and The entire staff treated us like kings and queens. Not in a million years would I have expected the meals and food We Got. To say I highly suggest Dear John's is a great destination would be an understatement. ANGEL was a wonderful host and great ambassador to this restaurant.Jasmine And there was another woman, I can't remember her name at this Moment couldn't have been more wonderful helping us get out reservation Top notch and the highest quality of foods too. Their chef deserves a large round of applause as well See you soon gang.You're all Great ambassadors to The restaurant!!! read more

We had a truly horrible experience at Dear John's. Sadly, regardless of the good yet pricey food and lively room, our meal was ruined by the manager of the restaurant who was rude and abusive to us. He began by interrupting our conversation when we were seated in a threatening and scolding manner because we were using the lights on our phones to see the menu in the almost dark restaurant, which he claimed was "against the rules." Later, when someone at our table questioned him about why he was so rude, he actually physically assaulted our friend. No restaurant should ever treat its guests in this manner. Not only is this incident outrageous but it was dangerous. Shame on the owners for allowing this type of behavior. read more

My husbund went to Dear John's for his birthday dinner. It was a last minute decision so we didn't make a reservation. We were hoping we didn't need a reservation on a rainy Tuesday night. It was busy, but we got lucky and got seats at the bar. The food was good. The drinks were great. It has a classic old Hollywood vibe. Pro tip: Always make a dinner reservation...or else they may not be able to seat you. It gets busy. read more

Dear John’s - Garlic bread, sand dabs, old-fashioneds, oysters Rockefeller & steak. - American Near Me - Culver City, California

Originally opened in 1962, Dear John's has served many locals and out of towners over the decades. It was closed for a number of years, and recently re-opened by two restaurateurs, and they did a great job of maintaining how it looked, for the most part, back in the 60s or early 70s. It's very dark on the inside, like an East Coast style steakhouse. They have a large full bar as well. As mentioned in some of the other reviews parking is very limited. There's about 10 spaces in the small parking lot attached to the side, otherwise it will be street parking, however, a parking pass is needed to park in the neighborhood next to it. They have a lot of great options on the menu, some retro ones as well. We started off with the French Onion Soup and the Steak Tartare. They make the Steak Tartare right in front of you, and it was truly delicious. The Onion Soup was a bit salty, but still very good with tons of cheese and thick bread. For our entrées we chose the Chicken Parmesan and the Sandabs. The Sandabs were the real highlight of the two, but the chicken was also good. It was filled with cheese, like Chicken Cordon Bleu, and then served with a side of marinara. Dan Tana's is still the best Chicken Parmesan in Los Angeles, but this one is very good as well. Overall a delicious meal in a very classic setting. I know Frank Sinatra himself used to eat and entertain here and it really continues that black and white era style. I would certainly suggest to any local or anyone visiting Los Angeles. read more

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Dear John's is our favorite steakhouse in West LA. We went for dineLA last night, and everything was superb, as usual. This place never disappoints. DineLA was a great deal at $65 per person. We both had the traditional Caesar salad. I had the Sand Dabs, my favorite, and boyfriend had the Ribeye, which was a $20 supplement, but massive! He took half of it home. DineLA came with the Gratin Dauphinois potatoes and Broccolini with Chili, Lemon and Breadcrumbs. I had the cheesecake for dessert, and boyfriend had the Chocolate Crunch Cake, which was like a large KitKat bar covered with a Reece's Peanut Butter Cup. Boyfriend had his usual martini, and I had a glass of the Saint Emilion Bordeaux. They now have valet parking for $10, which is great, because the place was packed. I'm so glad their lease was renewed for 5 years. We will keep coming back. read more

My husband and I came here on a Tuesday night after it was announced that Dear John's would be closing (they've since announced they will be open for another year). When we came on a Tuesday night, we arrived a little before our reservation time at 6 pm, and were told to wait at the door. There were several other people also trying to get seated for their reservations. We were seated at an outdoor table shortly after arriving. The ambiance outside was pleasant, but it did not compare to the interior of the restaurant, which looked dark and glamorous. Dear John's is a steakhouse, but neither of us ordered steak that night. I got the sand dabs, a white fish in a buttery sauce, which was very good, but I ultimately regretted not ordering the steak, once I saw the steaks come out to other tables. My husband had the chicken parmesan which he enjoyed. We also shared the garlic bread and Caesar salad to start. We had no complaints about our food at Dear John's, but I didn't feel that that the food was amazing. We had a solid experience, but not amazing, and this might be due to the fact that we didn't have steak. read more

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Excellent drinks and food. We got there a little early for a reservation and had a few drinks at the bar. The ambience is reminiscent of a 1960s restaurant that's very dimly lit and has great charm. Prices are a little high, but that's expected at a place like this. I will definitely be coming back again. read more

Really great food, atmosphere is Classic old time steakhouse w food to match, great bar, service was impeccable, waitstaff was super attentive and took care of everything. A bit loud inside but it's a small room. read more